Is Atlanta Airport the Biggest? What Travelers Need to Know About Hartsfield-Jackson

If you live in Atlanta or you’re flying in for a visit, you’ve probably heard people say that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is “the biggest airport.” But what does that actually mean—biggest by size, by number of flights, or by how many people use it?

Here’s how Atlanta’s airport really ranks, and what that means for you when you’re getting here and around the city.

Is Atlanta Airport the Biggest in the World?

In many ways, yes—Atlanta’s airport is one of the “biggest” in the world, but it depends on what you’re measuring.

Common ways people compare airports:

• Passenger traffic: How many people pass through in a year
• Flight operations: Takeoffs and landings
• Physical size: Land area and number of runways
• Terminal size and capacity

Biggest by Passenger Traffic

Atlanta’s airport is consistently among the busiest airports in the world by passenger numbers. In many recent years, ATL has held the top spot for total passengers served, with well over 90 million travelers annually in typical years.

What this means for you:

• You’ll find frequent flights to major U.S. cities and many international destinations.
• ATL is a major connecting hub, so you might pass through even if you’re not starting or ending your trip in Atlanta.
• The airport is designed to handle large crowds, with multiple concourses and services spread out efficiently.

Biggest by Land Size or Physical Area

When people say “biggest airport,” they sometimes mean pure land area. On that measure, ATL is not the largest in the world. Several airports in other countries and some in the U.S. cover more land.

However, Atlanta’s airport is still very large and highly developed, with:

• Multiple parallel runways
• A long central terminal spine (Domestic + International terminals)
• Concourse T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, connected by an underground train

So ATL may not be the “biggest” piece of land, but it is one of the most intensively used and efficiently organized airports anywhere.

How Atlanta Airport Compares: Quick Overview

Here’s a simple way to think about where Hartsfield-Jackson stands:

Why Atlanta’s Airport Is So Busy

Even if it’s not the largest by land area, Atlanta’s location and role make ATL feel “huge” in everyday use.

Key reasons:

• Central location in the Southeast: ATL is well positioned for flights between the East Coast, Midwest, and South.
• Major airline hub: Several airlines use Atlanta as a key hub, routing many connections through the city.
• Strong local demand: Metro Atlanta’s large and growing population, plus major business and convention activity, drives heavy travel.

For Atlanta residents, this usually means:

• Competitive fares on many routes
• Multiple daily options to popular destinations
• A good chance that friends and family can fly directly into Atlanta

What “Biggest” Means for Getting Around the Airport

Because Atlanta’s airport is so busy and extensive, it’s important to understand how to move through it efficiently, especially if you’re new to the city.

Terminals and Concourses

ATL has two main terminals:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South): Used for most U.S. flights
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F): Used for many international arrivals and departures

Behind the security checkpoints, there are concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, all connected by:

• The Plane Train (an underground people-mover)
• Passenger walkways with moving sidewalks if you prefer to walk

📝 Tip for locals and frequent visitors:
If you know your airline and concourse ahead of time, you can choose your drop-off point more strategically (Domestic North vs. South, or the International Terminal) to shorten your walk and lines.

Getting Through a Very Busy Airport

Because ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world:

• Security checkpoints can have long lines at peak times (early mornings, Sunday evenings, holidays).
• Concourse transfers can take a few minutes; waiting for the Plane Train and walking between gates adds time.

To handle the “big airport” factor:

• Arrive earlier than you might at a smaller airport—especially for international flights.
• Pay attention to gate changes; in a large airport, a gate shift might mean changing concourses.
• Use posted signs and overhead announcements; ATL is well signed, but there’s a lot going on.

Getting to and From Atlanta Airport

For people living in or visiting Atlanta, the size and importance of ATL also affect how you get there and back.

MARTA: Easiest Transit Option

Atlanta’s airport is directly connected to the MARTA rail system, which many locals and visitors find convenient.

• The Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• Both the Red and Gold MARTA lines terminate at the airport.
• From the airport, you can ride MARTA north to areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs.

This connection is a major advantage of having a large, high-traffic airport inside the urban transit network.

Driving, Parking, and Drop-Off

Because ATL serves so many people:

• There are multiple parking options: Hourly, daily, economy, and off-site lots.
• Separate drop-off and pick-up areas for Domestic and International terminals help manage heavy traffic.

If you’re an Atlanta resident or frequent visitor:

• Consider remote parking lots or off-site parking if you want to avoid terminal congestion.
• Plan extra time for rush-hour traffic on I-75, I-85, and the connector leading to the airport.

How the Airport’s Size Impacts Your Travel Choices

Being one of the world’s busiest airports brings both advantages and tradeoffs if you’re based in Atlanta.

Advantages for Atlanta Travelers

• More nonstops: You can often fly directly to many domestic and international cities.
• Frequent daily flights: Easier to find a time that fits your schedule.
• Stronger connectivity: If you need to make a connection, ATL is a common stop, which can simplify complex itineraries.

Things to Plan Around

• Crowds and lines: High traffic means more people at security, baggage claim, and concessions.
• Walking distance: Even with the Plane Train, you may have long walks between gates.
• Noise and activity: It’s a very active, busy airport at nearly all hours.

If you live in Atlanta, you can use the airport’s scale to your advantage by:

• Booking early flights to avoid afternoon congestion and weather-related delays.
• Learning your preferred concourses (for example, where your usual airline flies from and where your favorite food spots are).
• Allowing buffer time for connections, especially when switching concourses.

Key Takeaways for People in and Around Atlanta

• Is Atlanta airport the biggest?
  • It’s not the largest by land size, but it is one of the busiest and most heavily used airports in the world, especially by passenger count and flight operations.
• For Atlanta residents:
  • You benefit from a major global hub in your backyard, with abundant flight choices and strong connectivity.
• For visitors to Atlanta:
  • Expect a large, busy, but well-organized airport, with clear signage, an efficient train system between concourses, and direct MARTA access to the city.

Understanding what “biggest” really means at ATL helps you set expectations, plan your timing, and move confidently through one of the world’s most important airports while you’re getting here and around Atlanta.